Three Major FL Papers Request Federal Investigation of Trump University Pay to Play

Demand For Investigation Growing In Sunshine State

Florida has had enough of Trump University. The Tampa Bay Times, Orlando Sentinel and The Miami Herald all released scathing editorials calling for investigations into the allegations that Florida Attorney general, Pam Bondi, made the decision to not pursue an investigation into Trump University because of a $25,000 campaign contribution she received from Donald Trump.

Since Florida prosecutors will not touch this mess, the Justice Department is the only option. The appearance of something more than a coincidence is too serious and the unresolved questions are too numerous to accept blanket denials by Bondi and Trump without more digging and an independent review.

Ms. Bondi has admitted that she personally solicited a donation from the candidate. Around the same time, Ms. Bond’s office said is was weighing an investigation into allegations of fraud against…Trump University. Ms. Bondi…ultimately decided not to pursue the case or join New York and other states in a lawsuit.

Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel has been investigating the Bondi-Trump connection since 2013. He obtained over 8,000 documents from Bondi’s office pertaining to her investigation of Trump. Maxwell indicated that much of the information in the “records dump” was useless copies including 39 copies of a single email that he sent Bondi’s office requesting information.

This has gone on long enough. Bond’s actions need to be probed by an independent body. And the Floridians who filed complaints deserve to have their concerns reviewed by someone who didn’t take campaign money from the man they were complaining about ... If Floridians want action, they should speak up. But it may be up to the U.S. Justice Department.

The Orlando Sentinel also reported that a Massachusetts attorney who previously filed complaints against Pam Bondi has requested federal prosecutors charge both Bondi and Donald Trump with bribery. The request is based upon the same $25,000 contribution that has come under so much scrutiny.

The Washington Postreported last week that the IRS fined Mr. Trump $2,500 for the $25,000 donation to the political committee controlled by Pam Bondi. The fine, however, was for the donation coming from the Trump Foundation which, as a registered nonprofit, is prohibited from making political contributions.

According to the Washington Post, the Republican presidential candidate refunded his foundation the $25,000 and paid the fine to the IRS stating that the contribution from his nonprofit foundation was a clerical error.

Featured image a composite of works by Joe Raedle/Getty Images and Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images.